Another storm to overcome

As if they had not dealt with enough hardship, members of the Wayne School of Engineering Class of 2020 were thrown another curveball Wednesday evening, as a thunderstorm threatened to wash out the school’s graduation parade.

But dozens of young men and women — and their loved ones — went ahead with their celebration anyway.

The next stop for the Titans is a live graduation ceremony scheduled for June 9. But just what the event will look like might still be up in the air.

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Members of the Wayne County School Board appeared to sign off Monday on a WCPS staff proposal to hold graduation events at Berkeley Mall.

But a special meeting of the board was called for this Friday after parents expressed concerns about the plan.

District communications and public relations officer Ken Derksen told the New Old North that board members want to have more discussion about graduation.

“Board of Education members have received concerns from some parents about the 2020 graduation plan,” he said. “They want to continue the discussion about the district’s plans announced Monday evening, get a better understanding of the guidance specific to graduations that has been given to school districts by NCDPI and NCDHHS, get an explanation (as to) why traditional events on football fields aren’t an option at this time even with social distancing for seniors and guests, and to make sure all allowable options for ceremonies have been considered.”

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